Pop-corn-vending machine



June l 1926.

G. H. HARTMAN POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July s. 1922 y14 sheetsht -1 June 1 192e. 1,586,950

G. H. HARTMAN P0P CORN VENDING MACHINE vFiled July 3, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEZ.'

75 INVENTUF 6 72 June l 1926-.l y

1,586,950 G. H. HARTMAN PoP CORN vENDNG MACHINE Filed July 5, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 I /f H gfvEm-mlrz @www June 1,1926. 1,586,950

G. H. HARTMAN y POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 121g` E 4 INVENTDRI June 1 1926.

G. H. HARTMAN PoP CORN YENDING MACHINE Filed July 3, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTEIR June 1 19ze. l 1,586,950

G. H. HARTMAN POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July s, 1922 KME :mamen #iwf , 'IHVENTUEL June 1,1926.`

- 1,586,950 G. H. y HARTMAN POP CORN VENDING kMACHINE Filed July 5, l22

14 Sheets-Sheet 8 .June 1 ,1926. 1,586,950

G. H. HARTMAN' POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 l /i/ff// e J f ,ffy l Uf@ fg H 6/ fr j E05 *j U 0 .9

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June 1 1926.

` 1,586,950 G. H. HARTMAN r P0P CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July s, '1322 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 June l 1926.

. 1,586,950 G. H. HARTMAN POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1922 June l 1926.

G. H. HARTMAN POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July 5. 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENT ma June 1 1926.

G. H. HARTMAN .POP CORN VENDING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 1.4

Imm/ENT un l l l l i Patented June l, 1926.

GEORGE E. HABTMAN, F TOLEDO, OIHIO.

PoP-CORN-VENDING MACHINE.

This inventionrelates to vending machines, and particularly to a coin-controlled pop-corn machine.

Numerous attempts have been made vto l provide a pop-corn vending machine which will supply popped corn to the storage l1opper in sufficient quantity' to take care of the corn delivery demands on the hopper, but

none of these so far as I am aware, has been practical. In some cases Vthe supply of corn to the hopper is controlled by weight, that is, if a pound of corn is removedv from the hopper, approximately a pound is popped and delivered to the hopper. In another l5 case measured quantities are removed and means are provided for supplying to the storage hopper a quantity of corn exactly the same amount in volumeas removed. l-Vith both of these cases if the delivery of corn from` the hopper is rapid or faster than thesupply of popped corn to the hopper by the'popping operations, the hopper will be gradually drained. Y y

An object of the invention is to lprovide a commercially practical pop-corn vending machine wherein the popping of corn batches is'not dependent on the delivery of corn from the machine, but is dependent, when the quantity of corn in the storage hopper is below a predetermined level, upon the dey positng of a coin'in the coin chute, and which is provided with numerous safety provisions which causes an opening of the main operating circuit when any abnormal condition, such for instance as the sticking of clutches, the burning in of a coin, or the like, occurs, thereby preventing injury to' the machine parts and the liability of lire by 40 the abnormal condition..V Another object ot the inventionlis to provide a pop-corn machine which Wi-ll supply popped corn to the hopper more rapidly than it can be delivered therefrom, sovthat if four bags, vfor instance, are Vdelivered from the machine during a popping opera v tion, 'a much greater quantity will bepopped.

and returned to the hopper by the popping operation'.

Another object of this invention is to providemeans which is automatically operable to discontinue the popping operations until the corn vin 'the hopper has been lowered a,

predetermined extent by the delivery de- 5 mands upon the machine.

Eppnaaon mea my 3,

a,continued running of the machine underl 1922'. Serial N0. 572,493.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a machine of the class described of delivery and popping mechanisms which are entirely independent of each other in their operation and wherein the popping mechanism is not dependent for its action on the delivery of corn from the machine.

Another object of 'the invention is the provision of a two-speed control for the popping mechanism whereby if two or more popping operationsdollow continuously one after another, the time for bringing the popping parts -up to proper heat is saved for ill operations after the first popping operation,` thereby permitting a faster operating ot' the popping mechanism for the second and subsequent operationsz over the first operation and preventing a burning of the unpopped corn remaining'in the drum after a normal popping cycle is completed.

' A further obd'ect of the invention is to provide a soft supply control which is automatically operated by a manual release of a charge of popped corn from the discharge' chute and may be supplied in any desired quantity to the corn, depending on the length of time the discharge chute is retained open.

Another object of the invention is the pro" vision of means whereby the salt is discharged into the discharge chute at a point diierent from the point of discharge of the butter so that no caking of the salt or sticking of the same tothe chute by reason of its coming-in contact with the butter will arise. A

A furtherv object of the invention is .the `provision of a drainage means for excess butter liowing down ythe corn discharge A chute and preventing it from having contact vwith the discharge nozzle or outlet portion of the discharge chute.

Further objects and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description.v lVhile the invention in its broader aspect` is capable, of embodiment in" numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof and of the diiferent mechanism forming the4 same are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhichff- -r Figure 1 is a perspective elevation ofV a machine embodying the invention. Figs.` 2 and 3 are respective elevations of the upper and lower portions of one side' bf a machine, With different parts broken away and in U0 section, and parts showing the delivery, butvportions of another side of the machine,

with arts broken away and parts removed. Fig. is an opposite end elevation to that illustrated in Fig. 5 of the popping drum and associated parts, together with a por. tion of the carrying means.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line` 8 8 in Fig. 6 with parts broken away and parts removed. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken substantially' on the line 9 4) in Fig. 6`showing the indexing mechanism for the popping means. Fig. 10 is a vertical section thereof taken on the line'lO-lO in Fig. 6. Fig. 11 isan inner side elevation thereof. Fig. 12 is a left end elevation of the indexing means. Fig. 13 is across-section thereof on the line 13--13 in Fig'. 11. Fig. 14 is a central vertical section on substantially the line 14-14 in Fig. 5, with parts in full. Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail of the coin-controlling means with a part in section. Fig. 16 is a diagrammatical view of portions of the different connected o erating mechanisms with parts of the same broken away and parts in section. Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the measuring means for the popped corn. Fig. 18 is a plan of the movable member of the butter container control valve. a side elevation of the operating means for such valve. Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation offa porti-on of the popping drum driving mechanism shown in Fig. 6 with parts broken away. Fig. 21 is an enlar ed section on the line 21-21 in Fig. 8 with parts broken away. Fig. 22 is an enlarged elevation taken on .the line 22-22 in Fig. 8 with parts broken away. Fig. 23 is a'n enlarged detail 'with parts in section of a means for rendering the actuating mechanism inoperative when the popcorn is above a predetermined height in the hopper. Fig. 24 is a similar view of a 4different mechanism for performing such function, 'and Fig. 25 is a diagram of the electrical wiring employed.

Referring to the drawings, 1 'designates the casing of a machine embodying the invention, which casing, in the present instance, is of rectangularv form and has at each side thereof a door which is hinged "to the casing frame to adapt it to be opened to render access to the mechanism within the casing from/any side thereof. One of these doors, which is designated 2, and disposed at the front side of the machine, is smaller than the others and carries certain of the operating parts, as hereinafter described.

A hopper-3 for .unpopped corn'is mount- Fig. 19 is l ed on the top of. the casing 1, andthe corn is periodically discharged therefrom in measured quantities into a subjacentpopping drum 4 through a conduit 5. The conduit 5 opens at its lower end into the drum through a centrallydisposed end opening therein and is provided with two valves or shut-ter members 6 and 7 in vertically spaced relation therein. These valves are mounted for transverse opening and closing movements in the conduit and are connected at their outer ends to alever 8, which is mounted for rocking movements on a bracket arm 9 and is adapted upon a rocking thereof to impart alternate openinfr and closing movements'to the valve mem ers. It is evident. with this form of control for the unpopped corn, that when the lower valve 7 opens the upper valve 6 is closed, thereby permitting the measured charge of corn, which is disposed in the conduit- 5 between the two valves, to be discharged into the popping drum. The movements of the lever 8 are automatically cont-rolled by means hereinafter describe-d.

The popping drum-4 is mounted within the upper portion of the casing for vertical rotation on a hollow shaft 10, which is journaled atone endy in a bracket 11 and at its other end in a bracket 12, which brackets are suitably carried by the casing frame in the upper portion thereof. The bracket 12 in addition to forming a bearing for the shaft forms a .part of the conduit 5 and carries the bracket arms 9. Theshaft 10 is driven during each corn popping operation by means hereinafter described, and the drum hasvertical rotation therewith. The ends of the drum are preferably formed of castings and the periphery thereof, of wire fabric or other suitable foraminous material, the mesh or openingsof which should be suiiciently small to prevent unpopped'corn from passing therethrough.

As the corn in the drum pops and the drum rotates the popped kernels are carried toward the center of the drum by 'a foraminous partition 13v disposed therein in eccentric and partially encircling relation to the drum axis. and this partition is tapered from one end to kthe'other .of the drum to direct the kernels towarda dis-` charge opening 14 provided in an end `member of the drum. The popped corn passes through this opening and falls into a subjacent hopper 15 wherein the popped corn is stored until delivered from the machine in measured quantities, as hereinafter described. The partition 13, which is preferably of wire fabric, has the openings therein of suitable size to permit the unpopped corn to pass therethrough but to prevent the popped corn from so doing.

lDuring a popping operation a deilectingy wing 16, which is pivotally mounted at the outer end of the partition 13 and is pivoted. lto the inner peripheral portion of the drum and extends entirely across the same,'stands 1n the reclining position shown 1n Figs. 7

and 14, and when the popping operation is completed the wing 16is automaticallyl swung to substantially the dotted line position shown in F ig. 7 so thatthe unpoppedV over the wing onto the partition 13, through meshes of which they would pass to the outer screen of the drinn. The trough 17 1s inclined relatlve to the drum axis, and, as

it passes up over the drum axis',`directs the' kernels therein through an opening 18 in the end wall of the drum and into a dischargev chute 19 in the bracket 12. The

chute 19 communicates with a rece tacle 20 inthe bottom portion of the casing Athrough a tube 21 (Fig. nected by a yielding link member 22 to one arm. of a bell-crank lever 23 that is ful crumed to a boss 24 projecting inward fromone end of the drum. It will be understood that the wing 16 isnot swung to kernel ejecting position until practically all of the popped corn has passed from the .drum through vthe opening `14. The popping drum 4 is of a construction common in the art and the operation thereof in separating the poppedand unpopped corn and delivering one to the receiving hopper land the other to the receptacle 20will be .understood and therefore need not be more fully described. y

The hopper' 15 is ot' a size to store .a-.considerable quantity of po ped corny therein, and its bottoni is prefera ly of conical form to ,facilitate the discharge of corn` therefrom and is providedl near its lower end with a downwardly inclined discharge chute 27 having two valves 28 and. 29 disposed crosswise therein and functioning the same as the valves 6 and 7 for the unpopped corn to permit the discharge ofmeasured quantitles of popped corn from thefhopper. .A lever 30 is fulerumed to a bracket arm 31 projecting from the bottom ofthe' chute 27 and has fone ,end inpivotal connection with the valve 28 to impart reciprocatory movements thereto when the' lever is rocked and has its other end connected by a rod 32 to a subjacent lever 33 This lever is fulcrumed to a floor bra ,ket 34 adjacent to one side of thecasingand carries a roller atthe end of its `vh`free arm which -travels in a' cam groove 3.5 in aside of acaln wheel 36. The

The' wing 16 is conwhich is'fulcrumed in thebracket 34 and Y carries a `roller at its free y'endfor traveling in a cam groove 41 disposed in -the other side of the cam wheel 36. The cam wheel 36 is carried by a shaft 42, whichl is jour- `naled in brackets 43- and 44 rising from the bottom of the casing-1V near one side there-.

of (Figs. 3, 6 and 8). The driving'means for the shaft 42 will be `hereinafter described.V An velectric heater 27 is secured to each side of the chute 27 andheats the corn contained i`n the chute before discharging therefrom. The chute 27 is provided between the valves 28 and 29 with' a'top plate -27", which is carried by a screw 27 and is adjustable by a turning of the screw to vary the size of the measuring'space between the valves. A

. The corn delivery me`ans includes a bucket 45, which is. carried' at the inner side of a cross-head or slide-frame 46 by`a pivoted bolt 47, which permits the bucket to have pivotal movements about the bolt 47 as an' axis. The bucket is caused by gravit to ndrmally stand in upright position .wit its open end upward. The cross-head 46 is.

guide-d for vertical movements by a pair ofparallel guide-rods 48, which are disposed;

at one side ofthe casing and extend from the bottom to the top thereof, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The vertical movements of the cross-head are controlled and effected' by an endless sprocket chain149, which is disposed between the two guide-rods 48 and.

extends at its lower end arounda sprocket Vwheel'O and at its uplper end around a sprocket wheel 51. T e lower spro'cket wheel 50 is mounted on a shaft 52 that is ottom of the casing and this shaftis intermittently driven, as hereinafter described.

l:Ihe upper sprocket wheely 51 is an idler and 1s Acarrie-d for i vertical adjustment by a lbracket 53 secured to the top portion'offthe casing. The chain 49 has a pin 54 projecting therefrom and adapted .during an upournaled in a.4 bracket 53 rising from theI ward movementthereof to engage arregiss tering flange or pvart 55 on the cross-head during a lowering movement of the pin. A pinion 56 is fixed to a side of the bucket 45 in concentric relation to-its turning axis, and when the cross-head'is near the upper end of itsmovement the pinion engages a rack` 57 (Fig. 2) and, is given a partial turning movement by the rack to eil'ectn tilting of the bucket to dischargerthe popped".

corn therefrom. The rack 57 'is -carried by a convenient bracket or frame part 58, which extends down from the vertically adjustable sprocket-wheel carrying part of the bracket 53; so it and the. sprocket-wheel'have Vadjustment together. Y The corn-in its discharge from .the bucket enters theA upper end -of av guide chute 59, which is secured to thev casing frame by (fra-me lugs 59a (Fig. 4), and hasits upper end open and disposed in suitable position to receive the discharge, as indicated in Fim 2. This chute is'disposed at the inner site of the door 2 and has its front or outer wall formed, in the present instance, thereby. The side of the chute opposed to the Idoor inclines downward towardthe door and ter'- minates adjac'ent thereto in position for-the popped corn discharged therefrom to enter a downwardly inclined discharge nozzle 60, which projects through an opening in the door (Fig. 3), and is closed at its outer end by a gate 6l. This gate is hinged to the upper outer edge of the nozzle 60 and is adapted to normally hang downward in closing relation to the opening. The adjacent ends ofthe bottom inclined portions of the chute 59 and nozzle 60 are spaced slightly apart to provide a gap 62 therebetween, which space is sufficiently narrow to permit the corn to carry across the same in itsgdischarge down the chute but causes any waste butter travelling down the inclined bottom portion of the chute to pass through the space 62 and enter a subjacent receptacle( 63. This receptacle is carried by a bracket 64 at the front of the casing at the inner side thereof and immediately below the opening provided in the casing for the door 2.

A main 'gate 65 is provided in the chute 59 intermediate its ends for stopping the passage of corn therethrough and is pivot- "ally hungvat its upper end on a bracket 66 projecting from the inn-er side of the door 2. When the door is closed the gate projects .through an opening 59b in the adjacent side of the chute and has a flange 65a at lits inner side which laps the inner side wall of the chute at its outer side and serves to close the opening 59h when the gate is swung down. This gate is normally held in closing rela?, tion to the chute 59 by a coiled contractile spring 67, which connects a side edge .of the gate to the door 2 at a point above the gate hinges (Fig. 2). The gates 61and 65 are gates,

connected by a rod 68, which is pivoted to each, and the opening movements of the -which are in unison, are 'downward and forward with respect to the chute. An arm 69 projects from the inner pivoted end of the gate and is connected by a link 70 to a push rod 7 2, which slidingly projects through a registering opening in the door 2 and is connected at its outer end to an operating hand lever 72. This lever is pivoted to a bracket 73 on the outer side of the door 2, and an inward movement ofA the lever from normal position imparts an opening. movement to the gate 65 and also to the gate 61 with which it is connected.

A container 75 forsalt (Fig. 2) is carried by the door 2 at its inner side over the open upper end of thechute 59 and has a bottom discharge opening 76 that is controlled by a valve 77. The stem of the valve projects down through the bracket 78 and is connected through a series of levers 79 with the push 7.

rod 7 2a so that when the rod is in outward or normal position, the valve will be seated to close the opening 76, and when the rod is pressed inward to effect an opening of the gates (i5-and 61, the valve will be lowered' to permit a discharge of Salt from the salt container down through the chute 59. In the present instance, a channeled collar 8O cncircles the valve stem and the discharging of salt from the container is into the channel of such collar and then down through an opening in the channel bottom and a tube 7l to a point in the nozzle 60. It is important to discharge the salt into the nozzle 60 instead of into the chute 59, as the bottom wall of the latter is usually coated with butter, which would tend to retain and cause a caking ofthe salt, whereas the bottom of the nozzle 60, being in advance of the` gap 62, is practically free of butter and there- .fore permits a free flowing of salt down the" A butter container 82 is suspended within the upper portion of the casing over the discharge chute 59 and is provided'with one or more discharge openings 83 in its bottom,

and, in the` eventa plurality of such openings are used, they are preferably arranged in circular series. A rotary valve disc 84 is mounted on a stem 85 below the bottom of the butter container in position to close the openings 83, and it has openings 86 therethrough which are adapted to be moved into register with the openings 8,3 by a turning of the valve, thus permitting a discharge of butter from the container, such discharge being'down into the chute 59 and onto the corn which is supported in the chute by the gate 65. The valve 84C has an arm 87 (Figs. 18 and 19) projecting radially therefrom and forked at its outer end, with the fork arms flaring outward at their ends'to provide a broad mouth. One end ofa bell crank lever 88 engages within the fork of the valve arm to impart opening and closing movements to the valve when the lever is rocked and the other end of the lever is connected by a rod 89 to a lever 90, which is fulcrumedin a bracket 91 within the lower portion of the casing (Fig. 3). The free end of the lever 90 carries a roll which travels in a cam groove 92Y provided in 'a side of a cam Wheel 93 that is fixed on the shaft 42. The lever 88 is disposed adjacent to the side of the is timed to take place immediately after a lic' uantity of corn has been discharged into lt le chute 59 from the bucket 45. An electric heating'element 95 is disposed within the butter container 82 to keep the butter therein in a iuid state. for the heating elementare designated ..96

(Figs. 2 and 4)', and these are adapted to be engaged by spring contact fingers 97, which project from the adjacent casing side and are disposed in an electric circuit, hereafter described.

`The salt and butter containers and 82 are carried together by the door 2 (Fig. 4), as is also the gate 65 and nozzle.60 so that upon an opening of ,the door said parts will swing outward therewith to accessible position. lVhen the container 82 is swung outward with the door the-valve arm 87 swings outward from engagement with. the lever 88, the arm being forked for such purpose, and the heater contacts' 96 swing outward from engagement with the contact fingers 97. It is preferable to provide an electric heater 98 at the under side of the discharge chute 59 to warm corn disposed in the chute and to prevent butter from congealing and collecting on the bottom surface of the chute. The butter.which passes through the corn is caused to run down the chute and to pass through the gap 62 into the receptacle 6,3 instead of discharging from the Vouter end of the chute,' as is usually the case with machines of this character. This is a very important feature as it prevents the butter from dripping down from the discharge nozzle v60 and also tends to obviate flies gathering around and on the discharge nozzle. This is also preventedby the gate 61 which closes the nozzle. If there is any accidental discharge of corn or salt from the nozzle 60 when a bag or otherv receptacle is not udisposed in position to receive the same, such corn or salt drops into a trough or receptacle 99 secured at 'the lower'portion of the casing front below the nozzle 60, and the corn and salt, or other matter, are directed by the in# clined bottom of the trough' 99 into the receptacle 20 through an opening in the casing front, as shown in Fig. 3.

The popping heater 100 (Figs. 2and 5), which is preferably an electric heater, is disposed under the ,popping drum 4 adjacent thereto and is carried by an" arm 101 that is pivoted to a part of the bracket- 11 to adapt the .heater 'to be. swung vertically into and out of popping. relation to the drum. A weighted arm 102 extends rearward fromthe heater arm pivot and l Vpartially counterbalances the weight ofthe heater. A rod 103) is pivotally cormecteclY t0 andextends down from the arm 102 and" is connected' at its The two contacts lower end to the core of a solenoid 104 (Fig. 3) secured to the casing frame. When the solenoid is energized the rod 103 is pulled down and the heater swung upward thereby to operative relation to the popping drum. The heater and solenoid circuits are controlled as hereinafter described.

The power for driving the different mechanisms of the machine is derived from a motor 105, which is mounted on the base shaft 106 extending from both sides thereof. This shaft at one side of the motor carries a worm (not shown) in mesh with a worm-wheel 107 (Figs. 8 and 16) mounted in a gear case 108,

Awhereby an energizing of the magnet actuates the lever to throw the clutch member into engagement with its companion` The electro-magnet circuit is automatically closed by depositing a coin of proper denomination 1n a coin chute 116, as hereinafter described, said chute being carried, in the present in stance, by the door 2 and having an` entrance slot 117 at its outer end. l l

The shaft 112 is journaled in a bracket 118 rising from theiloor of ,the casing 1, and the shaft is connected atan end thereof uthrough a set of be el gears. 119 with the drive shaft 52 of th corn delivery mechanism. The shaft 52 is in turn connected at its inner end by a set of bevel gears 120 to a shaft 121, which is .journaled near its inner end in a bearing 122 rising from the casing Hoor, and at its other-end in a bearing 43. The shaft 121 has worm .and worm-Wheel driving connection (Figs. 6 and 17) with the shaft 42, which, through the cam Wheel 36, controls the corn delivery gates 28 and 29 A in thel discharge chute 27, and through the cam 93 controls the butter discharge valve 84. Y When a cycle of corn delivery-operations has been completed the` circuit of the electro-magnet 115 isv automatically opened, as hereinafter described, and the clutch member 110. is withdrawn from operative position, thereby stopping the action of the.' delivery. parts. At each corn` delivery-cycle the chain y54, which supportsl the bucket carrying cross-head 46,"traverses its complete course of movement to move the bucket 45 to corn. receiving position, then to elevate it vto discharging position and then to return it to its normal at-rest position, 'shown in Figs.

3 and 6, and each of the cams 36 and 93.-

eev

opening of the discharge valve 29 is timed to take place immediately after the bucket has lowered to receiving position and while the chain pin 54 is passing under the sprocket wheel 50,` during which period the bucket temporarily remains at rest. The opening of the butter control valve is timed to take place after a bucket of corn has been dumped into the discharge chute 59.

The other end of the rotor shaft 106 to that which drives the corn delivery mechanism is intended lto drive the popping drum k4, and for such reason has worm and wormwheel connection 125 with a shaft 126 that is mounted in a bearing bracket 127 rising from the base of the casing (Figs. 6 and 16). The shaft 126 has a sleeve 128 mounted for free rotation thereon and in bevel gear oonnection 129 with a vertical sha-ft 130, which is journaled at its lower end in the upper portion of the'bracket 127 and at its upper end in an arm of the bearing bracket 11 (Figs. 2, 5 and 14) in the upper portion of the casing. The shaft 130 is in bevel gear connection 131 at its upper end with the shaft 10 carrying the popping drum 4 so that a driving of the shaft 130 will impa'rt rotation to the drum.

The sleeve 128 has a clutch member 132 at its outer end adapted to be engaged by a shiftable clutch .member 133, which is .mounted for limited longitudinal moveto' take car'eo ments on the shaft 126 and for rotation therewith sothat when in vengagement with the clutch member 132 rotation is imparted to the popping drum. A lever 134 isfulcrumed on a stud projecting from the up(- right portion 135 of the bearing bracket 12 and has one end in forked engagement with the clutch member 133 to impart longitudinal shifting movements thereto when the lever is rocked. The other or upper end of the lever is connected to an armature 136 which is carried by a. guide part 137 o the bearing bracket for sliding movements toward andaway from an electro-magnet 138 that is carried by said bracket. It is evident that an energizing of the electromagnet, ythe circuit of which is automatically :controlled 'as hereinafter described, i

attracts the armature 136 thereto and effects a movement of the clutch member 133 uinto engagement with its companion so that the4 popping drum is then connected up with and is energized.

Iln machines of this character it is important to maintain a supply of popped' corn in the hop er 1.5 at all times suflicient any delivery: Ademands on the same. To accomplish this I provide an indexing mechanism for the popping means which' former is operated .by an actuating mechanism that is driven by the motor when r4hold its roller to the cam face.

a coin is deposited inthe slot 117, but is automatically controlled by the rising and,

fallingV ofthe quantity of corn in the hopper so that when there is a predetermined quantity of corn in the hopper the index-l ing mechanism is disconnected from the actuating mechanism, and when the cornv in the hopper has been lowered a predeter- The indexing mechanism includes ashaft 140, which is ]ournaled transversely of the machine interiorly .of the casing in bearing brackets 141, which project from the adjacent corner uprights of the casing frame in elevated relation to the lioor of the casing witlrone end disposed over the bracket 127 and over the popping drum driving and controlling means carried by the bracket. A.

ratchet wheel 142 is mounted on the shaft 143 within a part of the left-hand bearing 141 over the shaft -140 and is engaged by a pawl 144 that is carried by arms 145 for rocking movements vabout the shaft 143. The pawl is connected by a rod 146 to one end of the lever 147, which is fulcrumed to a bracket arm 148 of the bracket 127 for vertical rocking movements relative thereto. The opposite end of the lever 147 is pivotally connected to a stem 149 that is gulded for longitudinal vertical movements in the arm 148 and carries a roller 150 at its lower end which rests-on' a crown-cam 151 whereby rotary movements of such cam impart reciprocatory movements to the stem 149 and corresponding reciprocatory movements to the pawl 144 to actuate the ratchet wheel. The cam is fixed to the shaft 130 for rotation therewith so that when the popping" drum is being driven -the ratchet feed means for the indexing mechanism is also being driven. A coiled compression spring 152 acts o n the stem 149 to yieldingly Thev ratchet-wheel shaft 143 carries a pinion-153 in mesh with a gear 154 on the v'shaft 140 to communicate rotation from one to the other of said shafts. An electric -sWitch drum 155 is loosely carried'by the shaft 146 in axially spaced relation to the gear 154 and has a pair of indexing spur gears 156 and 157 fixed thereto for rotation therewith, the gear 1 57 being adjacent to the gear 154. The drum`155 has a-plurality of contact 'plates 158 arranged in equidisl tantly spaced relation around its peri hery, with the spaces therebetween of insu ating material. A set of three spring contact' fingers 159 coacts with the drum surface'V and when in contact with onebf the conductor 

